Head and Neck Shots : Mental Block !

[Nimrod1960]

Here we go again on shot placement !

Been stalking for 5 years (SGC 40+ and 1000’s birds). Just been through first FA renewal.
Cull to date
2xRed Stags
2xFallow Does
2xFallow Prickets
1xSika Hind
12 Roe
30+ Muntjac

All but a couple taken cleanly with engine room shots.

Here’s the rub! When presented with only a head or neck shot I pass, I don’t get stressy , I just pass . In my head I don’t want to screw it up and have a wounded animal running about on my conscience.

I am confident with the accuracy of my kit and mostly shoot out if a seat, occasionally off sticks.

A friend has asked me to help him cull out some fallow but wants them necked for the carcasses.

So do I just grow up and go for it ? One success then I am away?
Get a bit of coaching - maybe Corinium ? other suggestions welcome. I am Worcs based

Any body else had the same issue ?

 

[Dave_45]

Just tell him you aren’t happy with neck shooting just yet.

The thing with training courses is, firing at paper targets or steel deer shape targets ….

They can’t replicate the pressure you’ll put yourself under come the day of the race.

I’m not saying not to get some tuition but don’t spend silly amounts on it.


A local stalker who’s established might be a better bet.

 

[Tim.243]

Here we go again on shot placement !

Been stalking for 5 years (SGC 40+ and 1000’s birds). Just been through first FA renewal.
Cull to date
2xRed Stags
2xFallow Does
2xFallow Prickets
1xSika Hind
12 Roe
30+ Muntjac

All but a couple taken cleanly with engine room shots.

Here’s the rub! When presented with only a head or neck shot I pass, I don’t get stressy , I just pass . In my head I don’t want to screw it up and have a wounded animal running about on my conscience.

I am confident with the accuracy of my kit and mostly shoot out if a seat, occasionally off sticks.

A friend has asked me to help him cull out some fallow but wants them necked for the carcasses.

So do I just grow up and go for it ? One success then I am away?
Get a bit of coaching - maybe Corinium ? other suggestions welcome. I am Worcs based

Any body else had the same issue ?

All shots have a risk, a H/L shot on a bad angle or if it steps fwd is in the gut
Each shot is different to the last as that animal is dead so you cant repeat it just something close to it.
Let him shoot them in the head as he will be after the £££ per kg for that shot.

 

[Donkey Basher]

Simple answer, you're asking the question so you already know the answer. If you were comfortable doing it you wouldn’t be asking. So politely explain you don’t feel comfortable yet, maybe next year.

 

[Camdig]

If you are going to go out and limit yourself to only certain shots then some opportunity's will be missed, me personally all shots are on the table with circumstances dictating what the correct shot should be, if its truly about reducing numbers then all shots that produce dead deer should be considered.
Pressure to only neck or head shoot will only increase the chances of a mistake especially if you are not confident in doing so.

 

[paulst]

Had a similar situation a number of years ago. Almost always take chest shots but was asked to take some fallow with neck shots only. I honoured the request and after a few was much less concerned as all went well, no wounded deer. However back on my own land I almost always take chest shots but I am in the fortunate position of not having to take hundreds and have the time and opportunity to cherry pick the shots.

 

[paul dillon]

If your comfortable with your shooting and have a stable shooting position then shoot within your preferred range if out to far let it be

 

[SikaSeeker]

Just do it, after you drop one, you’ll be wonder what all the fannys were raving on about!

 

[VSS]

Either you are confident in the accuracy of your kit and your ability to shoot straight, or you are not.
If you are, then there is no problem. Head and neck shots are no more difficult than any other.
If you are not, then don't do it.

Be honest in your appraisals of your ability.
Can you really hit the magic "one inch at 100 yards", every time? Or is that only on a good day?

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

If you have to neck shoot, my personal point of aim is the base of the neck at the thickest part

 

[Riverwye]

At sensible range ,Neck shots on fallow no problem, a lot of the time its the only opportunity you get especially in thick woodland etc, waiting for the perfect broadside shot sometimes just never happens, and if your quick enough to reload you can drop 2 or 3.
Deer will drop on the spot so less time spent trying to track beast down, and cleaner carcass, less meat damage..
If the deer are in clear open fields at say 200meters then engine room would be a better idea there.

 

[Ranger22]

If your not happy don’t do it, it’s that simple

 

[Utectok]

High or low is best for neck shots just below head or where neck meets body. Also be prepared for a follow up if required. I shot a big stag in the neck last week as this was all I could see flopped like I rag doll walked up to him without rifle and he got up I had to run back get rifle and dispatch with chest shot! Stags in rutt are particularly difficult as neck thickens up a lot and missing bone is comparatively easy.

 

[imnotrucknut]

If you are using non lead ammo shot placement is even more critical.
You have to be bang on the spine if not theyll run!!!

Atb in youre decision

 

[sako751sg]

If you have doubts then best not to do it.

Accidents happen but confidence in yourself and your equipment play a huge part in taking that shot so any doubts at all in there and i would just forget it.

 

[VSS]

my personal point of aim is the base of the neck at the thickest part

Really?
According to an earlier post in another thread, in which I asked your opinion on neck shots, you said that you, personally, don’t do neck shots at all, having messed one up in the past

I don’t it’s in the rib cage or it’s not at all, I ****ed up one of those as well as I have a headshot but luckily on both occasions I killed the animals concerned messy but I ended their life's

 

[rookstorm]

If you shake like a shitting dog forget it

 

[Tim.243]

Really?
According to an earlier post in another thread, in which I asked your opinion on neck shots, you said that you, personally, don’t do neck shots at all, having messed one up in the past

When they are on the ground on big deer if there is any twitching then I stop around 20 yds and bang one in the neck.
All this "that's a knife" is kept for the movies and the round bill goes from the cost of 1 round to 2!
Unbeknown to me I had spined a big red as it just fell over into the ditch, when I got to it in the tangle of brambles it's eye looked and me and it tried to get up so the loaded .270 went in the neck from about 3ft.

 

[Dunwaters]

If you have to neck shoot, my personal point of aim is the base of the neck at the thickest part

Hell no, the absolute worst place to go for.
The spine swoops down between the shoulders and the muscle mass is big enough that a deer can absorb the impact. I would consider that an upper chest placement and the chance of wounding and loss is high.
Hit the spine and drop the deer and there’s a good chance that you will bruise the saddle and you placed the shot to avoid damaging the carcass.
A higher up is a better option.
About there.

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

Hell no, the absolute worst place to go for.
The spine swoops down between the shoulders and the muscle mass is big enough that a deer can absorb the impact. I would consider that an upper chest placement and the chance of wounding and loss is high.
Hit the spine and drop the deer and there’s a good chance that you will bruise the saddle and you placed the shot to avoid damaging the carcass.
A higher up is a better option.View attachment 443484
About there.

Completely wrong picture side on base of the neck at the widest point not face on base of the neck